Interesting, I'd say 80% of the 'easy' level questions are very relevant to understanding data structures one encounters on a day to day basis (maps, trees, lists, arrays) and basic ability to manipulate those with loops or recursion. I think those are very good interview questions.
I'd also say 90% of medium and hard questions are exactly what you said, relying on a relatively obscure algorithm.
I'd also say 90% of medium and hard questions are exactly what you said, relying on a relatively obscure algorithm.